Delta Police Arrest 44 Over Violent Protest

About 44 suspected hoodlums have been arrested by the police in Delta State, following a bloody fight between the feuding factions of the Uvwie Chapter of the National Union of Road Transport workers Union (NURTW).

Also in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, Authorities of the Bayelsa State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of the mastermind of the Thursday night killing of two policemen during the failed attempt to kidnap the Chairman of the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the State,Elder Remember Ogbe.

According to the Delta State Police Spokeswoman, Celestina Kalu, the
Area Commander Warri, had received information on Wednesday July 29, that following the change of leadership by Uvwie chapter, which led to the emergence of Mr. Ariyor Francis as chairman, pockets of violent protests erupted in the area.

Based on the report, patrol teams were quickly mobilised to the scene and at Jakpa junction, the protesters shot at the policemen, as a result of which an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) was hit on his buttocks by a bullet from one of the protesters.

Continuing, she said that the victim was rushed to Central Hospital Warri for treatment, but that the police later re-enforced and trailed the protesters to Agofure Motor Park on NPA/DSC expressway Warri, where the 44 protesters, who had gathered to cause more crisis and destruction, where picked up.

She informed that some of the protesters also on the same date, attacked policemen on duty at Dofect Motor Park, Effurun, shooting sporadically into the air. In the process, a police sergeant, who has since been rushed to Nigeria Navy Hospital Effurun for treatment, was hit by stray bullet on his right elbow.

While warning members of the public to always respect the law of the land and refrain from taking the law into their hands for any reason, the image maker added that, normalcy has been restored to the area while investigation is in progress.

Meanwhile, the State Police Command, through its spokesperson, Butswat Astimin, said the men of the anti-kidnapping squad on Thursday night arrested a 24 years old man, Seigha Oduwaiye, alleged to be the mastermind of the failed kidnap attempt and killing of the two Police corporal.

In the Statement signed by Butswat Astimin, “the Men of the Anti kidnapping unit, have arrested the mastermind of the foiled kidnap, one Seigha Oduwaiye 24YRS, from Akassa Brass LGA. The suspect has made useful statements. The men of the Anti kidnapping unit have intensified efforts to arrest his fleeing cohorts.”

The victim of the failed kidnapping and Chairman of the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the State, Elder Remember Ogbe, described his escape from the armed kidnappers as “miraculous”.